Sydney's Best BYO Restaurants for 2025
Sydney has always had a special love affair with good wine and great food. And while there are countless incredible wine lists across the city, there’s something undeniably satisfying about bringing your own carefully chosen bottle to dinner. Whether it’s a cellar gem or a local favourite, these BYO-friendly spots allow you to pair it with dishes that sing.
From classic Italian to spice-driven Indian and Middle Eastern, we’ve rounded up our favourite Sydney venues where you can bring your own wine and enjoy a memorable meal. Just don’t forget to check booking requirements, corkage fees, and opening hours before heading out.
Casual Dining Options
Emma’s Snack Bar – Enmore
A long-standing favourite for groups and casual mid-week feasting, Emma’s serves fresh, flavourful Lebanese share plates in a warm, family-run setting. Think crispy cauliflower, tender kafta, and creamy hummus, best enjoyed with a bottle of your favourite red. Corkage is just $6 per person, making it one of the best-value BYO experiences in the Inner West.
Maya da Dhaba – Surry Hills
With its generous banquet options and lively, spice-laden menu, Maya da Dhaba is a go-to for groups craving Indian with flair. The BYO policy makes it easy to enjoy a night out with a crowd, and the extensive menu means you’re sure to find dishes to match your chosen drop. Corkage is charged at $5 per person.
Fatima’s – Surry Hills
A Sydney institution, Fatima’s has been dishing up Lebanese favourites since 1969. It’s the kind of place where falafel, kafta and creamy labneh are served with a side of nostalgia. On Friday and Saturday nights, belly dancers add a touch of fun to the atmosphere. Bring a bottle (one per two people) and enjoy a relaxed, generous feast with free corkage.
A Little Fancier
OTTO Ristorante – Woolloomooloo
If you're after a more refined experience, OTTO offers a rare opportunity to BYO in a fine dining setting. Available until 31 October 2025, BYO wine or Champagne is allowed for all à la carte bookings with corkage charged at $30 per bottle. Pair your chosen drop with OTTO’s modern Italian fare and enjoy it harbourside. With experienced sommeliers to help you match your wine to OTTO’s considered menu, bring something special from the cellar.
Grappa Ristorante – Leichhardt
A classic Italian menu, lively ambience and thoughtful service – Grappa ticks all our boxes. Despite their awarded wine list, they allow BYO Tuesday to Thursday for lunch and dinner, and Friday to Saturday lunch, with a $6.50 corkage fee.
La Disfida – Haberfield
This neighbourhood gem is known for its woodfired pizzas and no-nonsense attitude to good food. They offer BYO from Tuesday to Thursday, and it’s a great excuse to share a few bottles with friends over house-made gnocchi or a thin, blistered-crust pizza. Corkage is $15 per bottle.
Macleay Street Bistro – Potts Point
With a cosy Parisian vibe and classic French menu, Macleay Street Bistro welcomes BYO every day with a $14 corkage fee. Pair an elegant red from the cellar with duck confit or steak frites and settle in for a chic dining experience.
Fix Wine Bar + Restaurant – Sydney CBD
Right in the heart of the city, Fix Wine Bar is a hidden gem for weekday lunches and relaxed evening dining. They allow BYO wine seven days a week (with $15 corkage per person), making it an ideal choice for after-work dinners or a leisurely Friday lunch with something special from your wine rack. With an awarded sommelier at the helm of their wine program, bring a bottle to impress.
Chez Blue – Rozelle
Charming and understated, this neighbourhood bistro has quickly gained a loyal following with its seasonal French cuisine and relaxed charm. On Sundays, they offer BYO with a $30 corkage fee per bottle. Bring a bottle of pinot to enjoy with steak tartare and pork cutlet, or a rich chardonnay with tuna niçoise and pumpkin gnocchi.
A Few Tips for BYO Dining in Sydney
Always call ahead or check online to confirm BYO availability and corkage fees.
Select a wine that suits the menu – a peppery shiraz might not be the best match for sashimi. If you need a little help with your chosen bottle, read our Guide to Basic Food and Wine Pairings.
Whether you’re dining with family, friends or celebrating a special occasion, Sydney’s BYO scene has never looked better. Time to book a table and pick a bottle!